POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING DENTAL IMPLANTS

 

1. Rinse with warm salt water, 1 tsp prescription mouth rinse, or diluted hydrogen peroxide, ½ part water ½ part hydrogen peroxide to assist in the healing and keep the site healthy. DO NOT eat or drink for 30 minutes after rinsing. This will maximize the potency of the medication.
2. If you have sutures they will dissolve on their own, if they become loose and annoying call the office.
3. Avoid disturbing the implant area. Do NOT use a Water Pik and do not play with the implant with your tongue. This will only traumatize the implant area.
4. DO NOT CHEW ON THE IMPLANT for the entire healing period. If possible chew on the unoperated side or pick non-chew foods (soup, yogurt, etc.)
5. If upper posterior implants were placed, we instruct patients to avoid blowing the nose during the postoperative period. Otherwise infection can set in.
6. You can brush your teeth, just NOT the implant. Keep the implant clean by polishing it with a Q-tip dipped in hydrogen peroxide.
7. LIMIT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY during the first 24-48 hours after surgery. Over exertion may lead to postoperative bleeding an discomfort. When you lie down keep you head elevated on a pillow for the first day. You may wish to place a towel on your pillowcase to avoid staining from any bold-tainted saliva.
8. SWELLING RELATED TO THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE may occur following certain types of procedures. An ice pack should be placed on the side of you face for 20 minutes then taken off for 20 minutes and repeated. Do this for the first 48 hours. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as Advil, also help decrease swelling.
9. AVOID SMOKING COMPLETELY as it tends to delay healing and interfere with regeneration.
10. Bruising marks may appear on the skin of the face during the first few days after surgery. Should any undue reaction or complications arise, notify the office immediately on (858)509-1259 and remember to always leave a voice message with your name, number and the best time to reach you. The doctors cell phone number is also on the answering machine, feel free to cal him if you need to. We will endeavor to get to emergency calls as promptly as possible. If you are experiencing a true emergency, go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
11. The remainder of the healing process can take up to three to six months form the time the dental implant is placed. You may have to wear a temporary prosthesis and make periodic adjustments to make sure it fits and works correctly.
12. Any dental implant patient who suspects he or she is getting an infection during the post operative phase is advised to contact us immediately.
13. If no signs of infection show up, the ptient should return at their scheduled postoperative visit for postoperative evaluation.
14. Expect minor bleeding or oozing. If bleeding persist you can rinse with a 50/50 peroxide and water solution. Biting on a moist teabag wrapped in gauze may help control persistent oozing from the surgical site. Tea contains tannic acid, which helps promot blood clotting. Should active bleeding persist please call the office or page the doctor by calling (858)509-1259, his cell number will be listed on the answering machine.
15. For patients that were sedated you are not to eat or drink anything for the first 2 hours after surgery. After 2 hours you may start with clear fluids in small sips until you feel your stomach is settled (no nausea present). After a few sips of water you may graduate to juice then to broth. If at any time you do become nauseous and vomit you will have to start the process over. Do not take any medication until you have had at least a couple sips of broth.

 

 

Diet/Food Selection

1. FOOD SELECTION. Soft non-chew, cool foods are most easily tolerated. A nutritious diet is most important to your comfort and temperament. Remember that eating can prevent nausea that is sometimes associated with certain medications. Supplements such as Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast and/or yogurt supply excellent added nutrition.
2. FLUID INTAKE IS IMPORTANT. Clear beverages, ginger ale, Seven-up, or Sprite, water, teas, broth, soups, or juices are all suitable. Avoid hot liquids until the numbness has worn off, and the bleeding has stopped. Drink plenty of fluids.
3. DO NOT EAT ANY POPCORN, POPPY SEEDS, SESAME SEEDS OR SEEDED FRUITS. THEY CAN GET STUCK AND CAUSE INFECTION! MAINTAIN NO-CHEW DIET ON OPERATED SIDE.
4. It is important that you maintain a high protein diet throughout the first part of the postoperative phase. Foods that are a good source of protein are eggs, soup, cottage cheese, milk products, and lean ground beef.
5. The blender may be used to chop up foods. Food supplements, such as Meritene or Nutrament are available at pharmacies. A fairly sort diet should be maintained for several months following surgery while the implant area heals. Avoid all foods that are hard or crusty.

Antibiotics and Pain Medications

1. Some degree of discomfort and pain can arise as numbness subsides. Once you have something substantial to eat or drink (soup, yogurt, etc.) take the prescribed medications. As an alternative you may take 3 Advil. If the pain you are having is not controlled by the prescribed medication (typically Norco) alone, you may take 3 Advil with it, but only after eating some food. Any pain medications can cause nausea and vomiting. It is very important that you have some food in your stomach before you take them.
2. PAIN FOLLOWING ORAL SURGERY may be most severe within the first 6-8 hours after the operation. Please do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking prescription medication. Do not wait for the pain to become unbearable before using some for of pain medication, as then it will be more difficult to control. Moderate to severe pain usually does not last longer than 48 hours, and mild discomfort usually diminishes after the third day. Please contact us if you experience prolonged severe pain so that we can help make you more comfortable.
3. Take any special medication we have prescribed on the special dosing schedule, Yogurt with active cultures or acidophilus may be taken while on antibiotics to prevent diarrhea. It is important to take the antibiotics to completion. If you are given antibiotics and take birth control pills, you should be aware that the birth control may become ineffective, therefore take appropriate precautions.
4. Take any regularly scheduled medication (for diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) on your regular schedule unless advised to do otherwise.
5. We recommend you include a daily vitamin supplement. Any good multi-vitamin with a minimum of 1000 mg of vitamin C will work.